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Does West Virginia Pay for Home Health Care?
Date Updated: July 26, 2024
Written by:
Rachel Lustbader is a writer and editor with a background in healthcare and technology. Her work has been published on websites including HealthCare.com, BiteSizeBio.com, BetterHelp.com, Caring.com, and PayingforSeniorCare.com. She studied health science and public health at Boston University.
Both of Rachel’s grandmothers had very positive experiences in senior living communities, and Rachel saw firsthand the impact that kind, committed caregivers and community managers can have on seniors’ and their family members’ lives. With her work at Caring, Rachel hopes to help other families find communities, caregivers, and at-home products that benefit elderly loved ones and make life less stressful for family caregivers
West Virginia pays for in-home care through Medicaid’s Personal Care Services program of individuals who are medically eligible and enrolled in Medicaid. This program covers personal care, light housekeeping and health-related tasks, and eligible seniors can receive up to 210 hours of care each month. Additionally, the Aged and Disabled Waiver Program provides community-based support to help seniors stay in their homes through various services funded by Medicaid.
Read on to learn more about West Virginia’s in-home care programs for seniors.
What Is the Aged and Disabled Waiver Program in West Virginia?
The Aged and Disabled Waiver Program in West Virginia is a program that provides support and services to seniors to help them live in their homes for as long as possible. Participants in the program receive a personalized service and support plan, with regular assessments to ensure the plan meets their needs. The plan may include assistance with personal care, light housekeeping, meal planning and preparation, transportation, and personal emergency response systems. Seniors who prefer to manage their own care can opt for the self-directed service option, which provides a monthly budget to spend on waiver services and the ability to hire friends or family members as caregivers.
To be eligible for the Aged and Disabled Waiver, a senior must be a resident of West Virginia and earn no more than 300% of the Supplemental Security Income monthly payment (which was $2,523 in 2022). In addition, they must have deficits in at least five daily functions and wish to live at home rather than in a nursing facility.
What Are Other In-Home Care Programs for Seniors in West Virginia?
West Virginia offers a variety of financial assistance programs for in-home care. For example:
1. The Lighthouse program allows seniors to choose caregivers to help with their daily needs. This program is designed to help seniors with functional needs in their homes who do not qualify for Medicaid services due to their income or assets. It has a sliding scale fee reimbursement system in place. Service hours are determined by a client assessment and available resources, with a maximum of 60 hours per month. Individuals must be at least 60 years old and meet the functional eligibility criteria to participate in the program.
2. The Older Americans Act/Legislative Initiative for the Elderly program is managed by county aging providers and offers various services. Individuals who are aged 60 or older may be eligible for in-home services through this program. Some examples of provided services include:
- Home-delivered meals
- Assisted transportation
- Chores like heavy cleaning and yard maintenance
- Home help for shopping, medication management and laundry
- Support in accessing information and resources, support groups, and respite services